Woman Says Early Heart Test Could Have Saved Husband's Life
A woman's husband died of a heart attack after a hospital doctor dismissed her concerns about chest pain and refused to perform an electrocardiogram, attributing his symptoms to anxiety; an autopsy later revealed two blocked coronary arteri
Kru Sai recounted the events that began on the morning of July 16. While her husband was working, he suddenly experienced stabbing pain in his fingertips that spread to his shoulder and chest, with chest tightness and continuous sweating. A coworker saw the unusual symptoms and took him to a hospital under social security coverage. Upon arrival, when the medical history was taken, he mentioned a previous wrist surgery but insisted this pain was different because of the accompanying chest tightness. The nurse asked about existing illnesses—he had high cholesterol and high blood lipids—and referred him to the internal medicine department.
However, the internist returned his file saying they could not treat him without blood test results and cholesterol levels, but the patient could not be tested because he had just eaten bread in the morning. He was then sent to an orthopedic doctor, with the explanation that the condition might be bone-related and they needed to rule that out first. But the orthopedic doctor said that based on the diagnosis of chest tightness, it was not related to bones or bone conditions, and suggested he return to the internist.
When he returned to the internist, the doctor conducted no further examination, not even a stethoscope check. Kru Sai explained that she researched her husband's symptoms and consulted with relatives, leading her to suspect a heart condition. She asked the doctor to perform an electrocardiogram, but the doctor refused and accused her of being "anxious" for requesting additional tests.
She asked what would happen if he had a medical emergency at home, but the doctor replied the likelihood was very low. The doctor then pointed at her husband and said, "Go home and stay in separate rooms because your wife is anxious. When you stay apart, it will go away." He attributed the sweating to hot weather and all symptoms to anxiety, then prescribed painkillers and discharged him.
At home, she intended to take her husband for a second opinion at another hospital in the evening. While resting, she woke him around 3 p.m. to pick up their child. When he returned home, he went into shock and died shortly after. She filed a complaint to investigate the cause of death. The autopsy revealed two blocked coronary arteries. After receiving the autopsy results, the doctor admitted to the misdiagnosis. She has decided to return the painkillers.
She questioned whether the doctor realized his error or only became aware after public backlash, especially since she had requested an electrocardiogram on the day of the incident but was accused of being anxious instead.
